This course introduces to students the environmental, social, cultural and economic conditions, as well as public policy issues which are necessary to the success and sustainable growth in the tourism industry. The merits and defects of a tourism-based economy, and the current structure and prospects of tourism in Greater China and other East Asian countries will also be discussed. It enables students to understand both the demand- and supply-side factors in the tourism industry. The topics covered by this course are the dynamics and effects of tourism evolution, the concepts, definitions and global trend in tourism, the market for tourism, the composition of the domestic and international tourism industry, the structure and economic role of tourism in the East Asia, the development of tourism in China, the growing interaction and evolving interrelationship between gaming and tourism and the tourism in the Great Pearl River Delta and Macao.

CILO-1: Demonstrate the recognition on the importance of tourism industries, their development and contributions to the economy. CILO-2: Recognize and assess how the demand and supply side factors working to influence the tourism industries. CILO-3: Compose empirical analyses on the development pattern of the tourism industries. CILO-4: Describe and illustrate the economic, social and environment impacts of tourism development, to identify the role of government and explain the meaning and importance of sustainable tourism.